Southeastern Scene
Weekly Happenings at Southeastern Elementary
Principal's Postings
Welcome to the Jan. 15, 2021, edition of Southeastern Scene.
Dear Southeastern Families:
As I reflect on the many conversations that I have had in the last week with both parents and teachers, I wanted to reach out to share my thoughts as well as valuable resources that I have found helpful as a parent, and as an educational leader. As a parent and as a teacher I always wanted to make sure that I responded in the healthiest way possible, that I asked the right questions, and that I could guide conversations in a way that led my students, as well as my own children, to make good choices and engage in healthy dialogue. There were times I fell short, and there were times that I walked away thinking, “that went really well.” I assume that many of you are having those same thoughts run through your head this week.
Our children may or may not have seen or heard the news last week, or been a part of conversations or observed images of current events. Whether it is on the playground, on a Zoom call, through artwork or through writing, I am always reminded of how intuitive and observant our students are. They are capable of critical thinking, understanding lofty ideas, and empathizing with others. With that said, it is important to understand what is developmentally appropriate for children when they seek out information, or when an organic conversation arises in response to something they see or hear.
I have always found Common Sense Media to be an excellent resource for families and educators. In this piece they offer ideas for specific age bands on age-appropriate conversations and questions. As a parent, you have a great opportunity to discuss the events that occurred this past week. Below are a few pointers to keep in mind as you talk:
- Let your child guide the conversation with their questions and observations.
- Do your best to give them age appropriate factual information.
- Try to keep your own emotions out of the conversation, remember your children are looking to you on how to respond to what has occurred.
- Some children may express fear or worry about the events or the images they saw. As their parent you can remind them that you will keep them safe and also share strategies that you use to deal with worry or fear.
- Emphasize the positive events that took place too, share with them about how even after everything that occurred, our representatives went back into the building to finish. This shows just how important our elections are!
- Please click this link for the whole article.
I am inspired by the way that you have kindly and supportively pivoted with us, worked alongside us, and learned with us. We are grateful and we applaud all that you are doing at home to keep our learning community thriving.
Yours in education,
Mrs. Danielle Chastain
Counselor's Corner
Virtual Lunch with Jen Smith
Our school counselor, Jen Smith, will be holding a virtual lunch time once a week for our virtual students. Please see the day and time that has been assigned to your student's grade level below. This is not enrichment or a lesson, just an opportunity for our virtual students to "socialize" with their grade level peers. They will be able to use the same Zoom link (below) each week. Some days and times have changed.
Please access zoom link here.
4th Grade - Mondays - 11:00
3rd Grade - Tuesdays - 1:30
2nd Grade - Wednesdays - 1:00
1st Grade - Thursdays - 12:15
KDG - Fridays - 11:30
Mental Health Resources
Parents, HSE has mental health resources available that you can share with your students. These are online resources that students can use to help with things like self-care, mindfulness, managing emotions, and mindset among others. These resources are accessible through the district page under counseling, then mental health, then click the red box to find all of the resources. You can also access the direct link here.
Raising HSE
Our first district podcast for parents (Raising HSE) is live and features some of our school counselors talking about supporting virtual leaners. This podcast is a helpful tool for all of our virtual learners. You can access the podcast by clicking this link.
Executive Functioning Skills Virtual Training for Parents
Important Upcoming Dates
- Monday, January 18, Martin Luther King Jr. Day, no school.
- Tuesday, January 19, return to in-person instruction for students who choose the in-person option.
- Friday, January 22nd, eLearning Friday. No in-person instruction. Students will do Canvas work from home.
- Friday, January 29nd, eLearning Friday. No in-person instruction.
- Tuesday, February 2nd, Interstate school picture retakes (please see more information below).
- Friday, February 5th, Explorer Day. Wear your school colors and show your Explorer pride.
- Friday, February 5th, eLearning Friday. No in-person instruction.
- Thursday, February 11th, 6:30 p.m., PTO meeting.
- Friday, February 12th, eLearning Friday. No in-person instruction.
- Monday, February 15th, President's Day, no school.
- Friday, February 19th, eLearning Friday. No in-person instruction.
- Friday, February 26th, eLearning Friday. No in-person instruction.
Picture Retakes
Virtual Learners
There will not be any enrichment classes scheduled for next week. We will be reviewing our virtual numbers, attendance rate for enrichment classes and our schedules to determine next steps. We will make sure that our classroom teachers share this information with you at the end of next week.
Masks At School
- Wash hands before putting on mask.
- Place it over your nose and mouth and secure it under your chin. Please make sure nose and mouth are always covered.
- Try to fit it snugly against the sides of your face.
- Make sure you can breathe easily.
- Do not drink water through your mask.
- Please do not chew on mask.
- Gaiter-style masks should be reconsidered as a primary face covering.
Please send additional masks with students names on them each day in the event that a masks becomes compromised.
Items needed for in-person learning.
Front Office Procedure Reminders
Reporting Absences
Parents, please notify the front OFFICE in regards to absences and late arrivals. You can leave a message on our attendance line by calling (317) 594-4340. Please leave detailed information, including student's first and last names with spelling, teacher's name, grade, and reason for the absence or late arrival. If late arrival, please include approximate time student will be arriving.
Leaving early for appointment
If student needs to leave early for any reason, only family and individuals listed on the student's approved Skyward list can pick up the student. In the student's Skyward account, under the "Family" and Emergency Contact" tabs, you may list people approved by you to pick up your student. Those individuals MUST show a valid driver's licence when picking up the student. When arriving, please ring the silver button to the immediate left of the glass door closest to the front office. Please wait inside the vestibule while we get your student for you.
Forgotten Items
If a student forgets an item at home and a parent needs to drop off that item after school has begun, that item may be dropped off in the front office vestibule. There is a table right inside the first set of doors on which you can place the item. Please have student's first and last names, and teacher's name, on the item and we will deliver it to the student.
Volunteers
Volunteers will not be permitted in the building at this time. We will inform parents when visitors will be permitted back into the building. All visitors MUST have a Safevisitor background check on file with Hamilton Southeastern Schools to be allowed to volunteer or have lunch in the building. Please see Safevisitor information at the bottom of this newsletter with more information, and for a link to sign up.
Dismissal Manager
Reminder, Southeastern Elementary is utilizing Dismissal Manager for daily dismissal changes. Each family received specific login credentials from Dismissal Manager. Please make sure that this information is current and up-to-date, because this is how we dismiss your students each day. If you do not have this information current, your child may not get home correctly. If you need to change your student's regular dismissal for that day, you will need to log in to your Dismissal Manager account and make the necessary changes by 2:00 p.m. A list will be generated before the end of the school day with all of the dismissal changes for that day. A link to Dismissal Manager can be found on the Southeastern Elementary website at the quick links section on the bottom right. You can also access Dismissal Manager by clicking here. Questions? Please contact the front office at 317-594-4340.
Cafeteria News
For the lunch menu, we will be starting on WEEK 1 (please see menu below).
We do have some menu changes for the first few weeks:
- Week1: Monday: Chicken and Cheese Taquitos (replaces Taco Triangles)
Wednesday: Turkey Burger with Cheese (replaces Beef Tenderloin Sammy)
- Week3: Monday: Lasagna (replaces Meatball Sub)
For the remainder of the year all breakfast and lunch Meal Deals will be Free.
Due to the later start time, elementary schools will not be serving breakfast.
For the lunch Meal Deal, students must pick a fruit and a vegetable, an entree, and 1 milk is included but optional.

Operations Plan
Nurses Notes


Library Book Park-N-Pick Up
Library book pick-up services for SES library books will continue for virtual learners. Follow the steps below to help your students take advantage of continuing to have access to our school library books.
Watch this video link and follow the steps to place holds for books. (This process applies to all students)
You may place holds on up to 3 books at a time.
- Only place holds for books that are “in.”
- To guarantee that your books will be ready the next day, the holds must be placed any time before noon the day prior to planned pick up.
- Books will be available for pick up inside the vestibule doors from 8:40 - 4:00 p.m.
- Please return books to the "drop-off items" table when you come to pick up your new books.
- If you have any questions, please contact Mrs. Robinson. jlrobinson@hse.k12.in.us
Mudsock Youth Athletics
PTO News
Please check the latest PTO news by clicking this link.
Stay connected with Southeastern PTO
Email: SoutheasternElemPTO@gmail.com
Instragram: @Southeastern PTO
Twitter: @Southeastern PTO
Community Insider
Please access the safe visitor approval process here.
HSE Report It!
Please access HSE Report It information here.
